The Company reported 2018 first quarter net sales of $214.6 million, which was within the Company's previously announced guidance of $208 to $218 million, compared to 2017 first quarter net sales of $203.8 million. Currency exchange rates favorably impacted 2018 first quarter net sales by $9.4 million due to strengthening in the Euro, Renminbi and Korean Won.

Earnings for the 2018 first quarter were $1.40 per diluted share, compared to $1.47 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017. Earnings per diluted share were above the Company's guidance of $1.15 to $1.30. On an adjusted basis, earnings were $1.48 per diluted share, compared to adjusted earnings of $1.68 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted earnings were above the Company's guidance of $1.30 to $1.45 per diluted share.

First quarter 2018 net income was $26.1 million, compared to $27.0 million in the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA was $41.4 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $54.3 million reported in the first quarter of 2017.

Gross margin was 35.7% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 39.4% in the first quarter of 2017. Operating margin was 14.5% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 19.2% in the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted operating margin was 15.4% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 22.0% in the first quarter of 2017.

"Strong growth in our Advanced Mobility markets, especially EV/HEV and ADAS, were highlights in the quarter. This strength was offset by lower demand in wireless infrastructure as the market transitions to 5G technology,” stated Bruce D. Hoechner, Rogers' President and CEO. "Revenue mix and operational challenges largely in the Advanced Connectivity Solutions business were the primary factors contributing to our lower than anticipated margin performance during Q1. Our actions to resolve these operational issues, as well as the strong outlook in our key markets, give us confidence in our ability to achieve our 2020 objectives."

Power Electronics Solutions reported 2018 first quarter net sales of $57.7 million, a 35.3% increase compared to 2017 first quarter net sales of $42.7 million. 2018 first quarter net sales increased due to broad based demand across markets, including particular strength in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, renewable energy and laser diode coolers. First quarter 2018 net sales were favorably impacted by $5.3 million due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

Other

Other reported 2018 first quarter net sales of $5.4 million, a decrease of 7.3% compared to the first quarter of 2017 sales of $5.8 million.

Balance sheet and other highlights

Cash position

Rogers ended the first quarter of 2018 with cash and cash equivalents of $173.0 million, a decrease of $8.1 million from $181.2 million at December 31, 2017. The primary drivers of the lower cash balance were capital spending of $9.1 million, tax payments related to vested equity awards of $6.4 million, and share repurchases of $3.0 million, partially offset by $8.8 million of net cash provided by operating activities.

Cash flow

Net cash provided from operating activities of $8.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, a decrease compared to $23.2 million in 2017. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by the use of working capital. Capital spending was $9.1 million in 2018, an increase compared to $5.3 million in 2017.

Effective tax rate

Rogers' effective income tax rate was 15.4% and 32.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a lower U.S. effective tax rate as a result of U.S. Tax Reform, changes in pretax income mix across jurisdictions with disparate tax rates, excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation, R&D credits and a release of reserves for uncertain tax positions partially offset by an increase in current year accruals for uncertain tax positions.

Financial outlook

Rogers guides its 2018 second quarter net sales to a range of $210 to $220 million. Rogers guides its 2018 second quarter earnings to a range of $1.10 to $1.25 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings are guided to a range of $1.25 to $1.40 per diluted share.

Rogers guides 2018 full year capital spending to be in the range of $50 to $60 million.

Rogers guides the 2018 full year effective tax rate to be 24-26%, with a second quarter effective tax rate of 28-29%.

About Rogers Corporation

Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG) is a global leader in engineered materials to power, protect, and connect our world. With more than 180 years of materials science experience, Rogers delivers high-performance solutions that enable clean energy, internet connectivity, and safety and protection applications, as well as other technologies where reliability is critical. Rogers delivers Power Electronics Solutions for energy-efficient motor drives, e-Mobility and renewable energy; Elastomeric Material Solutions for sealing, vibration management and impact protection in mobile devices, transportation interiors, industrial equipment and performance apparel; and Advanced Connectivity Solutions for wireless infrastructure, automotive safety and radar systems. Headquartered in Arizona (USA), Rogers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, China, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and South Korea, with joint ventures and sales offices worldwide.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements, which may concern our plans, objectives, outlook, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, future restructuring, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause such results to differ include: failure to capitalize on, and volatility within, the Company's growth drivers, including internet connectivity, clean energy, and safety and protection, as well as specific market and industry trends within these growth drivers; business, economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad, particularly in China, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Belgium, where we maintain significant manufacturing, sales or administrative operations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; research and development efforts; competitive developments; business development transactions and related integration considerations; the outcome of ongoing and future litigation, including our asbestos-related product liability litigation; and changes in laws and regulations applicable to our business. For additional information about the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect our business, please see our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rogers Corporation assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements contained herein except as required by law.

Conference call and additional information

A conference call to discuss 2018 first quarter results today on Thursday April 26, 2018 at 5 pm ET.

A live webcast and slide presentation will be available under the investors section of www.rogerscorp.com/ir.

To participate, please dial:

1-800-574-8929 Toll-free in the United States
1-973-935-8524 Internationally
There is no passcode for the live teleconference.

If you are unable to attend, a conference call playback will be available from April 26, 2018 at approximately 8 pm ET through May 3, 2018 at 11:59 pm ET, by dialing 1-855-859-2056 from the United States, and 1-404-537-3406 from outside of the US, each with passcode 8976379.

Additionally, the archived webcast will be available on the Rogers website at approximately 8 pm ET April 26, 2018.

Additional information

Please contact the Company directly via email or visit the Rogers website.